The Zero Waste Movement, led by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization and under the patronage of Emine Erdoğan, achieved a significant milestone in 2023, with the recycling rate rising to 34.92%, bringing the target closer every year.

Key accomplishments of the Zero Waste Movement include:

• As of June 2017, approximately 185,000 buildings and campuses have implemented the zero waste management system.
• Nearly 21 million people have received training on zero waste practices.
• The recycling rate, which was 13% in 2017, increased to 27.2% in 2021, 30.13% in 2022, and 34.92% in 2023.
• The goal is to increase the recycling rate to 60% by 2035.
• Since the project’s launch, approximately 59.9 million tons of recyclable waste have been processed by licensed businesses, including 29.3 million tons of paper and cardboard, 7.8 million tons of plastic, 2.9 million tons of glass, 3.7 million tons of metal, and 16.2 million tons of organic and other recyclable waste.
• These efforts have resulted in an economic gain of 185 billion TL, energy savings of 2.6 billion kWh, water savings of 819 million m³, 104 million m³ of storage space saved, prevention of 5.9 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, saving of 498 million trees, and a reduction of 127 million barrels of oil consumption.

The Zero Waste Movement Continues to Gain Global Recognition

The Zero Waste Movement is not only gaining recognition in Turkey but also internationally. Under Emine Erdoğan's leadership, the movement is being promoted on global platforms and serving as an example for other countries.